Painful Shave From Personna Red Tonight

**Nick Danger** · 08-08-2012, 09:39 PM

Ouch! This was my first shave tonight with a Personna Red blade, and man do I ever have a nasty razor burn. No cuts or weepers, just pain. I don't think anything was different about my technique. I even had a two day growth of whiskers, which usually results in a reasonably comfortable shave for me.

Used my EJ DE89, T&H Ultimate Comfort cream, a T&H silvertip badger brush and Proraso pre-shave. Even took a long shower before shaving, so my whiskers should've been nicely conditioned and ready to go. I did not use any pressure and did the standard 3 pass shave. Really nothing different at all tonight, except the blade.

Guess this is yet another example of YMMV. I know other people here like Personna Red blades. This was only the third blade I've tested: Derby blades, which were never consistent for me, Astra SP blades, which are the best for me so far, and now the Personna Red blades. I'll try a second shave with this Personna Red after I give my face a day to heal. I definitely won't be shaving tomorrow.

Are Personna Red blades considered sharper than Astra SP blades? It didn't seem sharper to me, but I'm still a newbie and perhaps not the best at judging the differences between blades.

Nick

**AJ4VS** · 08-08-2012, 09:46 PM

sorry to hear that. I've never used those blades myself so I'm also interested in what the other have to say. Hopefully your next shave will be better

**Attila** · 08-08-2012, 10:40 PM

Astras are considered sharper than Personas in general. In my own oppinion, second only to the king of sharp, Feathers. Perhaps Iridiums might be close, not sure though since I haven't used them. Sorry to hear you had a rough shave though.

**Nando723** · 08-08-2012, 10:48 PM

I've never used the Personna but I used a Derby the other day and my first shave was pretty rough also. My second shave with the same blade was much better. Just be before my second shave I noticed the blade was evenly exposed so I open my razor and adjust the blade. Not sure if this was the reason for the improved shave or if its just the fact it was my second shave with this blade. There are many post on B&B about the Derby blade and how they improve with every shave. Not sure if your Personna would improve with the next shave or maybe if you want to check that the blade is exposed evenly in the razor. Just an Idea!

**shipr** · 08-08-2012, 10:59 PM

I like the personna red packs and do find that the first shave is a little rough then it mellows out for the following shaves.
You may want to stick with the Astras for a while until you get your technique down then come back to the personna's

**AussieNick** · 08-09-2012, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by shipr

I like the personna red packs and do find that the first shave is a little rough then it mellows out for the following shaves.
You may want to stick with the Astras for a while until you get your technique down then come back to the personna's

+1 to this. I'm currently running through my sampler pack of Personna Reds and so far they've been a bit inconsistent for me. I think it's more likely that my technique is inconsistent, but still, I've had some really rough initial shaves on the Personnas. On the whole though the following few shaves are comfortable.

God luck with it. If they don't wor move on to the next or back to the Astras.

**Chrisp** · 08-09-2012, 01:48 AM

I use both straights and DE's, and when I use a DE, I use it almost exclusively with a Feather - been doing that for years. So a few days ago I thought I'd remind myself why I like Feather blades so much and I tried one of the few sample packs of Personna Reds I had stashed away. The shave was similar to yours - very painful and rough. I remembered using one or two a few years ago but couldn't remember why I never liked them until the other day. I went back to a fresh new Feather and all is well in the world. Try one - you might love them. Astra's are my backup and although not as smooth as a Feather for me, they are 2nd.

**Nick Danger** · 08-09-2012, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Chrisp

I use both straights and DE's, and when I use a DE, I use it almost exclusively with a Feather - been doing that for years. So a few days ago I thought I'd remind myself why I like Feather blades so much and I tried one of the few sample packs of Personna Reds I had stashed away. The shave was similar to yours - very painful and rough. I remembered using one or two a few years ago but couldn't remember why I never liked them until the other day. I went back to a fresh new Feather and all is well in the world. Try one - you might love them. Astra's are my backup and although not as smooth as a Feather for me, they are 2nd.

I've got a pack of Feather blades that came with my sampler. Perhaps it's time I get over my fear and finally try them. My technique is far from perfect, but I don't cut myself or get weepers - just razor burn - so I might be ready for my first Feather shave. It could well be that I actually do need a sharper blade.

In the meantime, I just ordered 100 Astra blades since they seem the most consistent for me so far.

Nick

**Attila** · 08-09-2012, 08:41 AM

Always make sure you have lather on the areas you are running the blade over...and watch your pressure!

**Tulsa77** · 08-09-2012, 08:50 AM

I use Personna reds in several different razors with great results. I have found two things about the Personna's, best angle of the razor varies between razors and they are smoother after the first shave. You might try a 20 degree razor angle next time.

**OkieStubble** · 08-09-2012, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Nick Danger

Ouch! This was my first shave tonight with a Personna Red blade, and man do I ever have a nasty razor burn. No cuts or weepers, just pain. I don't think anything was different about my technique. I even had a two day growth of whiskers, which usually results in a reasonably comfortable shave for me.

Used my EJ DE89, T&H Ultimate Comfort cream, a T&H silvertip badger brush and Proraso pre-shave. Even took a long shower before shaving, so my whiskers should've been nicely conditioned and ready to go. I did not use any pressure and did the standard 3 pass shave. Really nothing different at all tonight, except the blade.

Guess this is yet another example of YMMV. I know other people here like Personna Red blades. This was only the third blade I've tested: Derby blades, which were never consistent for me, Astra SP blades, which are the best for me so far, and now the Personna Red blades. I'll try a second shave with this Personna Red after I give my face a day to heal. I definitely won't be shaving tomorrow.

Are Personna Red blades considered sharper than Astra SP blades? It didn't seem sharper to me, but I'm still a newbie and perhaps not the best at judging the differences between blades.

Nick

Sounds to me like a classic case of too much pressure and/or repeated strokes over the same area without lather. Personna Reds are the quintessential beginners blade. They are the gold standard of having some degree of the three most combined qualities in what people look for in a blade.

They are sharp, but they are not the sharpest. They are very smooth. But not the smoothest that can be found. But what I find perplexing in your post is, they are almost famous as being one of the most 'forgiving' blades made. Probably 'the most forgiving'. While you can find a very small few who don't like it, it is indeed rare. And the complaint of it being rough or unforgiving has to be extremely rare. In fact, I think yours is the first I have ever heard in my time here. The usual rare complaint is either not close enough or sharp enough.

**Nick Danger** · 08-09-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by OkieStubble

Sounds to me like a classic case of too much pressure and/or repeated strokes over the same area without lather.

I was really careful to avoid pressure, especially when using a different brand of blade for the first time. I also know better than to shave areas with no lather. That's why I'm so puzzled about my poor results.

I won't give up on these blades after only one try, but I found it interesting how different they seemed from the Astras.

I've also got some Personna Med Preps on the way. I'll be curious to see how they feel compared to the Red Personnas.

Nick

**imarcus** · 08-09-2012, 09:07 AM

I shaved a personna red for the second time yesterday and had the same problem. I shaved with Merkur's for over a week and I had no problems with them. But the personna reds were a lot rougher on my face. I used the same brush, soap, lathering technique and aftershave balm. I'll keep trying different blades until I find what works best for me.

**OkieStubble** · 08-09-2012, 09:11 AM

And you guys are talking about The Israeli Reds and not Crystals, correct?

**Nick Danger** · 08-09-2012, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by OkieStubble

And you guys are talking about The Israeli Reds and not Crystals, correct?

Yes, The Israeli Reds. I do have some of the Crystals as well from my sampler, but haven't tried them yet. How different are the Crystals?

Nick

**AjaxLepinski** · 08-09-2012, 09:22 AM

I got a lot of razor burn as well, when I tried Persona Red Pack for the first time. I like Astra SP's, so much so, that I recently bought a pack of 100 (arrived yesterday). Never had any trouble with Astra SP's. I'm still experimenting with other blades and I'll be giving the remaining 4 Reds another go some time in the future. When I do , I'll try one for several shaves to see if it mellows (thanks to shipr for the 'let it mellow suggestion).

**Proofmark** · 08-09-2012, 09:33 AM

I really like the reds.. I prefer the labs though. Never tried a feather ot astra even though I have them. Since I moved to straights, I don't use my DE except for quick clean up when I don't have time to get my straight mantra on.

**mmcaleer** · 08-09-2012, 09:38 AM

I am the opposite. The Personna Reds are my favorite so far followed by Derby's. I had razor burn with the Astra and had weepers with the Feather. I am still going through my sample pack trying to decide what I like most. I have some Crystals to try next as well as some 7 O'clock blacks that are in the mail.

**cpeter47** · 08-09-2012, 10:16 AM

I haven't really liked Personnas. I tried the reds and wasn't impressed and have tried the Labs as well with irritation after just 2 uses. The Gillette 7 o'clock yellows and blacks have been great though. Extremely smooth and a very nice shave.